Basic terms on power.

1. Lic. Silvia A. Hernández Valdez

2. Possession of controlling influence.
Control of the assets required to do something or
get something done.
Capacity to influence others' behavior.
To make others do your will.
WHAT IS POWER?

3. STATE POWER
• We usually relate power with politics.
Why? Probably because we know that within our borders, the
government (meaning the institution representing the State) is
the most powerful institution even though it may be challenged
by new actors.

4. STATE POWER
• Internationally the Nation-State has been considered
the most powerful institution because of its
sovereignty, which mean that it does not recognized
any higher authority.

5. • Supreme and autonomous power and authority of a
governing body to rule itself without any
interference from outside sources.
STATE SOVEREIGNTY

6. NATURAL SOURCES OF POWER
Natural Resources, Geography, Population (natural talents and skills).
SOFT POWER (non-tangible)
-Unity of the population
-Public support of the government
-Leadership
-Image
-Ideological dominance
-Population (cultural and scientific level)
HARD POWER (tangible)
-Infrastructure
-Army and military coercive strength
-Industrial Development
-Economic resources
-Population (productivity)
SOURCES OF POWER

7. • The several ways in which power is distributed within the
international system. It describes the international system at
any given period of time. Determines the degree of influence
of an actor globally or regionally.
• UNIPOLARITY: HEGEMONIC POWER, 1 CENTER OF POWER.
• BIPOLARITY: 2 CENTERS OF POWER
• TRIPOLARITY: 3 CENTERS OF POWER
• MULTIPOLARITY: 4 CENTERS OF POWER
WHO HOLDS POWER?
POLARIZATION

8. • Leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation ov
er others.
• Can you think about the dark side of an Hegemonic dominance
in the world?
WHO HOLDS POWER?
HEGEMONIC POWER
Hegemony or Survival: America's
Quest for Global Dominance.
NOAM CHOMSKY

9. • GREAT POWER: State recognized because of having to reach influence
globally. Middle and Small powers consider his opinion before taking actions.
• MIDDLE POWERS: Not as strong as a Great Power but still has sufficient
influence regionally or globally and has enough strength to stand on its own
without external help.
• SMALL POWERS: small or even none influence on its region or globally, but
still plays a role in the international system.
WHO HOLDS POWER?
GREAT, MIDDLE AND SMALL POWERS

10. • Concept in which the world system is leaderless. There is no
sovereign or worldwide government. This system has no hierarchical
superiority and no central authority.
• What about Security in this kind of System?
• How will States ensure survival?
• Do you think this may lead to selfishness?
WHO HOLDS POWER?
ANARCHY AS AN INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM

11. Stability and parity between competing forces in the International System.
• This idea holds that national security is heightened when power is
distributed so that no one is strong enough to dominate other. If this
steps out of balance, nations will protect themselves by matching their
power against the one of the other side.
How?
A) by increasing their own power, as when engaging in an armaments
race or in the competitive acquisition of territory
B) by adding to their own power that of other states, as when building
alliances.
BALANCE OF POWER

12. SECURITY DILEMMA
• Situation in which actions taken by a State may threaten its own
security. For example, increasing its military strength or creating
alliances, may lead other states to respond with similar procedures,
increasing tension and creating conflict, even if no side really desires
it.

13. STATE POWER TODAY
Is the State losing power before new actors? such as:
 United Nations (IGO’s)
 European Union (regionalism and economic integration)
 Terrorism
Think about this…
In an increasingly interdependent world, have the State yielded
sovereignty?